Poor turnout reported in early voting for Greater Manchester police and crime commissioner

A poor early turnout is being reported at ballot boxes across Greater Manchester as voters go to the polls to elect the region's first police and crime Commissioner. Manchester Evening News readers revealed low numbers visiting polling stations this morning to submit their vote.

The polls opened at 7am and do not close until 10pm tonight, with a result expected tomorrow.

But although election day is still young, readers took to Twitter to voice their concerns over turnout.

Experts believe turnout could be as low as 15 per cent in Greater Manchester due to a combination of voter apathy, lack of information and people simply not supporting the idea of a police and crime commissioner.

The M.E.N. used Twitter to ask our readers for their views. We asked readers to tell us when and where they cast their votes - and reveal what early numbers and attitudes were like at polling stations.

One man, a caretaker at a polling station, reported just four voters since 7am.

Ivan Hargreaves (@ivanfooty4all) posted: "I'm a caretaker at local polling station we had 4 punters since 7am #poorturnout."

Many others also voiced their concerns.

Robin Usher (@Robin_Usher) posted: "I voted at about 10.15 in Milnrow (Cricket Club) - I was the 4th voter! The other desk/polling_district in the Club had had 10!"

Rob Wilson (@thfc67) said on Twitter: "I went to vote at 10 am and asked if they had been busy. Answer "You're number 10" Maybe it'll pick up later?!!?!"

Andy McNeill (@AndyCountach) said: "I was jumped on by three staff. dead in Buxton" and Katie Homer (@KatieHomer) added: "I voted at 8am this morning and a few people were there."

John R Simpson (@johnrsimpson) posted: "My fiancée is working one of the polling stations today where the number of voters has just hit double figures. #wooo."

And Malcolm Smith (@saveourbogs) said from Salford: "Monton Village polling station was very quiet at 10:30 this morning and had been since opening."

One voter on Twitter said turnout could be low because of the numbers of people who have chosen to select a candidate by postal vote.

Melanie Connor (@alderleymel) said: " Voted in Alderley very quiet due to a high % of postal votes and most apathetic, as I am as it will be no different."

Tom c (@fourkinell) reported problems in Denton. He posted: "Voted Manor Green School, Denton, they've had 40 people vote by 12:30 and said that they are one of the busier polling stations."

Tim McFarlane (@timmcfarlane1) said: "Withington. 1 other person whilst I was there. There for at least 5 mins as I had the kids with me who were asking questions."

Political commentators said the dark early evenings were unlikely to lead to a sharp increase in voters, although more of the electorate was expected to visit stations later today.

The new commissioners, who are expected to earn up to £100,000, will control police budgets, set priorities and have the power to hire and fire chief constables, replacing the police authority.

Critics claim the reforms will lead to the politicisation of the police, with PCCs championing populist measures at the expense of less headline-worthy initiatives. Although the commissioners will be there to hold the force to account, opponents fear they will attempt to interfere with day-to-day operational matters.

Today's PCC poll is believed to be the first time that Greater Manchester has voted as one on a single issue since the congestion charge referendum in 2008.

Meanwhile, voters in Manchester Central were also going to the ballot box to elect a new MP.

The seat - left vacant after Tony Lloyd decided to stand for the PCC election - is being contested by Chris Cassidy for UKIP, Peter Clifford for the Communist League, Alex Davidson for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, Lee Holmes for the People's Democratic Party, Loz Kaye for the Pirate Party, Lucy Powell for Labour, Marc Ramsbottom for the Liberal Democrats and Matthew Sephton for the Conservative Party.

The counts for the city's new MP will take place tonight night while the PCC count, which will take in votes from across Greater Manchester, will take place on Friday.

At the same time, residents in the Ardwick area of Manchester are also being asked to cast a third vote for a new councillor following the death of former lord mayor Tom O'Callaghan, who represented the area on the city council.

Confusingly, while the parliamentary by-election and council election will use the traditional first-past-the-post system – meaning voters simply put a cross in one box – the PCC election will use the so-called 'supplementary vote' method. That means people can pick a first and second choice, by putting crosses in two different boxes.

There are also two local council by-elections in Bury, in the Church and North Manor wards.

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